About HSL Cellular Pathology

HSL’s Cellular Pathology Department consists of Histopathology and Diagnostic Cytology. Its prime objectives are to provide hospital clinicians and general practitioners with a speedy, high quality diagnostic service.

Diagnostic Histopathology

The services provided include:

Routine histological diagnosis, using a wide variety of techniques including special stains, immunocytochemistry and molecular techniques.
Cellular Pathology SRAs, located at 60 Whitfield Street, Chase Farm, Barnet, NMUH and RFH.
Consultant-led large tissue sampling.
Rapid-response laboratory histological service, based at the Royal Free Hospital site.
Mohs clinic technical support.
Frozen section service on request, pre- booking is essential except for unforeseen intraoperative circumstances.

Specialities of the Cellular Pathology department include:

Lymphoma and haematological malignancies
Urological pathology
Respiratory pathology
Oral pathology
Head and neck pathology
Cardiac pathology
Gynaecological pathology
Gastro-intestinal pathology
Breast pathology
Skin pathology
Thoracic pathology
Endocrinology
Hepatobiliary pathology
Liver pathology
Renal pathology

The department also provides a laboratory support based service to the Mohs clinics at the Royal Free and Chase Farm Hospital’s Dermatology departments.

Diagnostic Cytology

Diagnostic cytology is a specialist discipline that provides the examination of samples taken by non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures. This is done by examining cells from fluids, brushings or fine needle aspirates (FNAs) to give a diagnosis of disease.

All samples should reach the laboratory as soon as possible and preferably early in the working day to avoid deterioration of cells. Samples should be received in the department by 4.00pm.

Cases are received and booked in at Royal Free, NMUH and BCF Hospitals and transported to 60WS for processing and testing before being returned to Royal Free Hospital for reporting.

Department Laboratory Accreditation

The department is IBMS-approved for HCPC registration portfolios, specialist portfolios, advanced practice portfolios, and the RCPath diagnostic histopathology reporting post graduate diploma and actively promotes the training and continual development of its staff to ensure we retain the highest levels of professional and academic excellence.

 In addition, a service is provided to Ealing General Hospital as part of the London North West University Hospital NHS Trust (Ealing Hospital), and it is a referral centre for over 560 hospitals in the UK, Republic of Ireland and over 200 overseas hospitals.

The department also provides a Histology service to Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals along with a laboratory support based service to the Mohs clinics at Chase Farm Hospital. Cases are received and booked in at Royal Free Hospital and transported to 60WS for processing and testing before being returned to Royal Free Hospital for reporting. UCLH is part of the North London Cancer Network,which co-ordinates cancer services in specialist pathology for the North Thames Central Sector of London.

The department is always keen to help with collaborative projects and can provide technical services for all methodologies. Please contact the 60WS Cellular Pathology Operations Manager for further details. The department is IBMS approved for HCPC registration portfolios, specialist portfolios, advanced practice portfolios, and the RCPath diagnostic histopathology reporting post graduate diploma and actively promotes the training and continual development of its staff to ensure we retain the highest levels of professional and academic excellence. Staff have the opportunity to experience and specialise in all the technical areas of the laboratory.

We encourage the advancement of the histopathology BMS role through advanced specimen dissection and the RCPath diagnostic reporting scheme, as well as nurturing those with an eye for progression through the management route.

HSL Cellular Pathology is a UKAS Accredited Medical Laboratory No. 9706.